Lecture 3a: Web Page Authoring

What You Will Learn Today

1. Explain the web development process.
2. Explain the uses of different types of web authoring tools.
3. Identify structural and functional features of web pages.
4. Explain common features of web page authoring and web site management tools.

Web Development Process

1. define site purpose and audience
2. select development tools and processes
3. design the site
4. develop the site
5. test the site
6. publish the site
7. evaluate, update and maintain the site

In which step are web pages actually created? Are the steps followed in order?

Web Authoring Tools

• Text editors edit the HTML source codes giving advanced designers maximum control.
• Word processors can be used to create web pages by exporting (saving) in HTML format.
• HTML editors have features to help with editing HTML.
• WYSIWYG editors edit the page as it will look when published on the Web.
• Graphical tools create formatted text, images, animations and backgrounds.
• Scripting and programming languages and server tools provide programming, interactivity and advanced features.

Features of Web Pages

• Properties (title, author, keywords, description, colours, background, language, modification date)
• Formatting (font style, font size, bold, italic, underline, font colour, background colour, highlight colour, stylesheets)
• Layout including Alignment (left, centered, right, justified) and Indentation (block quote)
• Structural Elements (Headings, Paragraphs, Line Breaks, Horizontal Lines)
• Lists (bulleted, numbered, definition)
• Links (relative vs. absolute; text vs. picture; named anchors)
• Tables (with captions, merged cells etc.)
• Images (including diagrams, photos, image maps, animated gifs, Shockwave)
• Forms (buttons, text boxes and menus within a web page)
• Frames (independent windows within a web page)
• Plug-Ins (multimedia files viewed by programs that add to the browser's capabilities)

Features of Web Page Authoring Tools

• Web page authoring tools like Mozilla Composer focus only on designing individual pages:
• Standard word processing features including file management, editing, formatting and page layout
• Buttons and menus to add web page features listed above
• Ability to switch between viewing modes (e.g. Normal, HTML tags, HTML source, and Preview)

Features of Web Site Management Tools

• Web site management tools like Microsoft FrontPage and Macromedia Dreamweaver facilitate maintaining an entire site of many pages:
• Site structure management tools (files, folders, links/navigation)
• Site analysis tools (reports, statistics, problems)
• Task management tools (to do list, scheduling)
• Publishing tools (to update the uploaded site)

To Do After Class

• Read Hofstetter ch. 15, 16 and 18.
• Read Computers in Your Future module 8b: creating a web page, first half.
• View the lists of web authoring software for Windows and Linux.
• View the web authoring and HTML links.
• Become familiar with available web editors such as Mozilla Composer and Microsoft FrontPage.
  • Find out how you use the features listed above.